A Christmas to Remember

A Christmas to Remember by Lisa Kleypas, Lorraine Heath, Megan Frampton, and Vivienne Lorret

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a delightful read overall. 

Lisa Kleypas and Megan Frampton's novellas were probably my favorites. Each novella contained a full story despite being a novella and therefore shorter. I didn't feel like there was much as far as the Christmas theme went beyond each story mentioning it was that time of year. Still, I enjoyed reading each story. 

*I received an eARC from Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

                                                                                                                     -Reader

A Talent for Temptation by Sabrina Jeffries

A Talent for Temptation by Sabrina Jeffries

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I feel a bit like I have whiplash because the story was so short but I enjoyed it regardless. I liked both main characters even if I didn't get to know them well. There's a pretty quick resolution to the problems but with only around 100 pages (according to Goodreads) it's not surprising. 

Looking forward to seeing the stubborn and secretive Baron Fulkham meet his match in the next title!!

*I received an eARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

                                                         -Reader

The Scotsman Who Saved Me by Hannah Howell

The Scotsman Who Saved Me by Hannah Howell

⭐️

I don't think Hannah Howell's writing is for me. This is the second or third title of hers I've tried and couldn't finish. 

Based on the blurb, I expected a novel with a lot of action. Instead I got one that was crawling along with very little happening. I was forcing myself to read because there wasn't really anything bringing me back to the book. 

The tone was also a bit weird to me. Emily got sick of Iain's constant kissing her and then being cold and so did I. 

Not sure if I'll be trying the next book or not. 

*I received an eARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

                                                       -Reader

The Laird Takes a Bride by Lisa Berne

The Laird Takes a Bride by Lisa Berne

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I liked this book so much better than the first! Can't believe this is just a second novel for an author!

I honestly don't remember Alasdair much from the first book but I know I was excited to see he'd be getting his own HEA. He was a great guy that respected Fiona and her wishes even if he didn't particularly like her. At first.

The real star of this show, to me, however, was Fiona. She is SUCH a stick-in-the-mud for part of the novel and it was fantastic to see her transformation. And I didn't see the event that brought that about coming.

I felt like, for the most part, the novel was a nice blend of plot and emotion rather than being driven by one alone. I don't really remember any major slow spots and I had trouble stopping reading at the end of a chapter.

This was a great title and I can't wait for the next!!

*I received an eARC from Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.


                                                           -Reader

So I Married a Sorcerer by Kerrelyn Sparks

So I Married a Sorcerer by Kerrelyn Sparks

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Kerrelyn Sparks is fantastic at world building and that continues in this novel. 

Brigitta has the ability to know others are hiding something and to ferret out their secrets. Rupert is a pirate with the ability to control the wind...and a big secret. 

The fun and drama Ms. Sparks is known for was evident throughout this book. I found it hard to stop at one chapter because I needed to know what would happen next. I mean, PIRATES! 

Can't wait for the next book!

*I received an eARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

                                                                                                                        -Reader

The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare

The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is Tessa Dare at her finest!

I got super excited about this book after Tessa described it as "Beauty and the Beasts meets Deadpool" and was so excited I was even a little afraid it wouldn't live up to the hype I built up in my head. I can tell you, it did! I almost burst into laughter like a lunatic in my kid's Taekwondo class...more than once. I absolutely adored it.

Emma is feisty and unafraid of Ash's blustering.  Ash is a delightful smart aleck and I loved many of his retorts. I felt like the romance did move pretty quickly, but I was okay with that for once because there was more plot going on than that. There's not really much angst and I'm completely okay with that. This is definitely going to be a reread for me!

Loved this title and can't wait for the next in the series!

*I received an eARC from Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

-Reader

The Scandal of It All by Sophie Jordan

The Scandal of It All by Sophie Jordan

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This title was not very plot driven (I usually prefer more of a plot), but I found myself unable to put it down!!

I love a heroine that is older than nineteen or twenty and it was fantastic to see a heroine that was older than the hero. My mom is eleven years older than my stepdad and they've been happily married for nearly twenty-two years so I've seen how well the age difference can work out. I like a heroine that is older because it's easier to believe she'd really know herself enough to make a commitment like marriage. 

I liked Colin, even if I felt he was a bit pushy a few times. He made up for it in the end and turned out to be a great hero after all. I was really excited that Graciela was the type of woman he's normally attracted to instead of the exact opposite. That drives me crazy. 

So why only four stars? First of all, the use of the word "quim". I don't care how historically accurate it might be, it still grosses me out and brings me right out of the moment. Also, there were several love scenes in a row. That's not my thing and I skipped three of them because I felt like they were filler for the lack of plot. 

Ms. Jordan gave us a little tease for the next book at the end of this one, and I can't wait to read it!!

                                                           -Reader

*An eARC was provided to me by Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.